Ethan and I spent our Wednesday in Washington DC. He was excited to return and see "his" city, and I was happy to be asked along.
Our first destination? The Washington DC temple. This is the temple where Ethan first took out his endowments. I dropped off some new names to be printed up, and we were off!
It was one of those endowment sessions where pretty much anything that can happen, does happen. Ethan was having all kinds of clothing issues, wearing John's clothes which are slightly larger in size than what Ethan wears. Things were slipping off left and right, including his pants! Too, one of the workers in our session didn't have all of his fingers. In fact, his hand looked like its constantly giving the "I love you" sign language sign, because his middle fingers are only one knuckle long. This caused me to see things in a comical, tender light, and when I feel that way, my chipmunk voice comes out (ooh, it's toh cyute....) And then there was Speedy Gonzalez...
By the time we exited the temple, we just burst out laughing. Not in a mocking, mean way, but in reaction to just feeling happy. I sometimes think that the Lord likes a good laugh too!
One thought I did have while in the temple: I'm so thankful that the temple is a natural part of the life of our family, and now a natural part of the life of my boys. When I suggested to Ethan that we find some time to go, there was no complaining, or making an excuse that he couldn't go. There were no worthiness issues, nor an expired temple recommend. He was ready and willing. What a blessing in my life.
Next, we headed to Chipotle down by American University. Ethan was meeting up with his friend, Megan, whom he knew before he left on his mission. She was a dear friend, indeed, writing him every week on his mission, and keeping him up-to-date on happenings in DC. Ethan said it was just like old times. Eating at Chipotle, and walking back to American. He even got to walk across campus. Sigh...
Meanwhile, I was playing chauffeur. Trying to find free parking in DC is nearly impossible, so I was given the assignment to stay in the car. Lucky me, I found a place just feet from the Chipotle and headed in there, after Ethan had already left. Since I figured he hadn't remembered to get me any food (since he was currently walking somewhere between Chipotle and American), I bought my own food. Ethan then texted me, asking me if I could pick him up on campus. When I got there, what did he have in his hand? A bag of food from Chipotle.
Gosh...what a disappointment...having to eat two servings of Chipotle! ;-) I really only ate the one I had ordered, and Ethan ate the other one on the way home.
Next, Ethan had a job interview just a mile from campus. Again, I knew that I would be staying in the car.
Ethan had applied for a babysitting job. The mother wanted a mentor for her 13-year-old son, and a driver for the boy to his Scout meetings. Could Ethan be more suited for the task? I think NOT! Anyway, Ethan had given her references earlier in the week, and it turns out that she called them (a family for whom he babysat before his mission). She said that they couldn't say enough wonderful things about him. Then, after meeting Ethan, she gave him the job!
Even better, she wants to ensure that Ethan stays with her and doesn't go looking for a better job somewhere else, so she's going to work out enough hours in the week so that he earns the money he needs to pay his bills. Too, she pays $20/hour! Seriously, can I move to DC and babysit for her? :-)
She actually found out that I was waiting in the car and invited me in. She's a wonderful woman whose husband died five years ago from prostate cancer. She only has the one son, and they are trying to get back on their feet.
After we left the interview, I stood out in the street with my arms outstretched and looking heavenward and said to Ethan, "Can I just stand here and have some of these blessings from heaven fall on me too?"
And I thought that was the last of it. Oh, no. It's obvious that Ethan served an honorable mission, because seriously, the blessings just keep coming.
Next, we were off to see his new apartment. How he even found this apartment is a chain of events that just fell into his lap! He'll be sharing the apartment with two other LDS guys, both law students. It's completely new with marble countertops in the kitchen, new appliances and hardwood floors. Too, each bedroom (it's a 3-bedroom apartment) has it's own private bathroom. It's only four miles from school. Words just can't describe it!
The best part for John and me? It's cheaper for him to live here than on campus in the dorms! Score!
Finally, we headed home. Ethan kept expressing to me how excited he is to get back into life. School, work, dating. I would guess that DC is one of his favorite cities, and how perfect it is that he has this time in his life to live there.
Our first destination? The Washington DC temple. This is the temple where Ethan first took out his endowments. I dropped off some new names to be printed up, and we were off!
It was one of those endowment sessions where pretty much anything that can happen, does happen. Ethan was having all kinds of clothing issues, wearing John's clothes which are slightly larger in size than what Ethan wears. Things were slipping off left and right, including his pants! Too, one of the workers in our session didn't have all of his fingers. In fact, his hand looked like its constantly giving the "I love you" sign language sign, because his middle fingers are only one knuckle long. This caused me to see things in a comical, tender light, and when I feel that way, my chipmunk voice comes out (ooh, it's toh cyute....) And then there was Speedy Gonzalez...
By the time we exited the temple, we just burst out laughing. Not in a mocking, mean way, but in reaction to just feeling happy. I sometimes think that the Lord likes a good laugh too!One thought I did have while in the temple: I'm so thankful that the temple is a natural part of the life of our family, and now a natural part of the life of my boys. When I suggested to Ethan that we find some time to go, there was no complaining, or making an excuse that he couldn't go. There were no worthiness issues, nor an expired temple recommend. He was ready and willing. What a blessing in my life.
 |
| The School of International Studies |
Meanwhile, I was playing chauffeur. Trying to find free parking in DC is nearly impossible, so I was given the assignment to stay in the car. Lucky me, I found a place just feet from the Chipotle and headed in there, after Ethan had already left. Since I figured he hadn't remembered to get me any food (since he was currently walking somewhere between Chipotle and American), I bought my own food. Ethan then texted me, asking me if I could pick him up on campus. When I got there, what did he have in his hand? A bag of food from Chipotle.
Gosh...what a disappointment...having to eat two servings of Chipotle! ;-) I really only ate the one I had ordered, and Ethan ate the other one on the way home.
Next, Ethan had a job interview just a mile from campus. Again, I knew that I would be staying in the car.
Ethan had applied for a babysitting job. The mother wanted a mentor for her 13-year-old son, and a driver for the boy to his Scout meetings. Could Ethan be more suited for the task? I think NOT! Anyway, Ethan had given her references earlier in the week, and it turns out that she called them (a family for whom he babysat before his mission). She said that they couldn't say enough wonderful things about him. Then, after meeting Ethan, she gave him the job!
Even better, she wants to ensure that Ethan stays with her and doesn't go looking for a better job somewhere else, so she's going to work out enough hours in the week so that he earns the money he needs to pay his bills. Too, she pays $20/hour! Seriously, can I move to DC and babysit for her? :-)
She actually found out that I was waiting in the car and invited me in. She's a wonderful woman whose husband died five years ago from prostate cancer. She only has the one son, and they are trying to get back on their feet.
After we left the interview, I stood out in the street with my arms outstretched and looking heavenward and said to Ethan, "Can I just stand here and have some of these blessings from heaven fall on me too?"
And I thought that was the last of it. Oh, no. It's obvious that Ethan served an honorable mission, because seriously, the blessings just keep coming.
Next, we were off to see his new apartment. How he even found this apartment is a chain of events that just fell into his lap! He'll be sharing the apartment with two other LDS guys, both law students. It's completely new with marble countertops in the kitchen, new appliances and hardwood floors. Too, each bedroom (it's a 3-bedroom apartment) has it's own private bathroom. It's only four miles from school. Words just can't describe it!The best part for John and me? It's cheaper for him to live here than on campus in the dorms! Score!
Finally, we headed home. Ethan kept expressing to me how excited he is to get back into life. School, work, dating. I would guess that DC is one of his favorite cities, and how perfect it is that he has this time in his life to live there.
It seriously was amazing how it all worked out. I'm so excited to be going to DC next week and start school again. Plus, the temple is like fifteen minutes away from campus, so I can go every week!
ReplyDelete